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Monique Chabot, OTD, MS, OTR/L specializes in geriatrics, Living in Place and design. She has worked in a variety of settings over the course of her career. Monique received her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Studies from University of North Texas, Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and her Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Monique is currently pursuing a PhD at Jefferson East Falls. When she is not working as a clinician or completing school work, Monqiue enjoys gardening and growing vegetables. She spends a great deal of time completing knitting, sewing and embroidery. Monique also plays the violin and accordion with a string band for the Mummers in Philadelphia. Monique can be reached via email at mocchabot@yahoo.com. All the best, The CHRG Therapy Team

Meera Raval Deters, M.A., CCC-SLP, BCTS, ACAS is the owner of Super Speech Solutions, a concierge practice that provides in home and online Speech Therapy to Houstonians and Texans. Meera received her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2006. She has worked in a variety of settings over the past fourteen years. Meera specializes in accent modification and child language, with an emphasis on autism. Meera can be reached on her Facebook and Linkedin at Super Speech Solutions LLC, instagram at Super Speech Solutions, or her website: http://superspeechsolutions.com/ (superspeechsolutions.com) All the best, The CHRG Therapy Team

In this episode the tables are turned and we are interviewing the founder of this podcast, Dr. Robin Akselrud! Robin Akselrud, OTD, OTR/L, is an Assistant Professor in the BS/MS program at LIU-Brooklyn and the founder of Forward OT PLLC. Robin is currently the Leadership and Management Coordinator for the AOTA Home and Community Health Special Interest Section. In 2021, Robin published a mindfulness/professional development planner for OT students and clinicians, The My OT Journey Planner, and created The My OT Journey Podcast—a student-run podcast platform for OT/OTA students and practitioners. Robin holds a Master of Science from Touro College in Bay Shore, NY, and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. You can follow Dr. Akselrud on instagram @myotjourneypodcast and on Facebook @ My OT Journey.

In this episode, we are expanding our interdisciplinary professionalism by speaking with Dr. Aliza Ancier! Aliza is a physical therapist who specializes in postpartum recovery and women's health. She trained in teaching mindfulness to help mothers feel more connected and peaceful in motherhood. She offers 1:1 coaching and group programs. She can be reached through her FB group, Meaningful Motherhood Community, IG @yourmeaningfulmotherhood, and email alizaancier@yourmeaningfulmotherhood.com References: Bosch, B., and Mansell, H. (2015). Interprofessional collaboration in health care: Lessons to be learned from competitive sports. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 148(4), 176–179. https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163515588106 (https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163515588106) Fewster-Thuente, L., and Velsor-Friedrich, B. (2008). Interdisciplinary collaboration for healthcare professionals. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 32(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naq.0000305946.31193.61 (https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naq.0000305946.31193.61) Kantrowitz-Gordon, I., Abbott, S., and Hoehn, R. (2018). Experiences of postpartum women after mindfulness childbirth classes: A qualitative study. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 63(4), 462–469. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12734 (https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12734) The importance of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare. (2016, January, 26). Johnson and Johnson: Getting Real: Nursing Today. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://nursing.jnj.com/getting-real-nursing-today/the-importance-of-interprofessional-collaboration-in-healthcare (https://nursing.jnj.com/getting-real-nursing-today/the-importance-of-interprofessional-collaboration-in-healthcare)

Welcome to Students in CHRG! In this episode, we’re talking with Shoshana Shamberg about her experience as an occupational therapist and as an Irlen Diagnostician! In this podcast we aimed to bring insight into the role of occupational therapy within this specialized field, and gain a better understanding of our OT’s journey with Irlen Syndrome, and her incredible stories that got her to where she is now! References: Irlen, H. (2005). Reading by the colors: Overcoming dyslexia and other reading disabilities through the Irlen method. Penguin. https://books.google.com/books?hl=enandlr=andid=oAhC4mVpw6MCandoi=fndandpg=PR8anddq=irlen+methodandots=jLDnqe_gOxandsig=Y8kIFnHVR9bgLhwaf393feiNTd4#v=onepageandq=irlen%20methodandf=false (https://books.google.com/books?hl=enandlr=andid=oAhC4mVpw6MCandoi=fndandpg=PR8anddq=irlen+methodandots=jLDnqe_gOxandsig=Y8kIFnHVR9bgLhwaf393feiNTd4#v=onepageandq=irlen%20methodandf=false) Irlen Syndrome Foundation. (2015, March 23). What is Irlen syndrome? https://www.irlensyndrome.org/what-is-irlen-syndrome/ (https://www.irlensyndrome.org/what-is-irlen-syndrome/) Pocket OT. (2019, January 2). Irlen syndrome. Pocket Occupational Therapist | The Pocket Occupational Therapist. https://www.pocketot.com/irlen-syndrome/ (https://www.pocketot.com/irlen-syndrome/)

Welcome to Students in CHRG! In this episode, we’re talking with KaRena Lehman about her experience as an occupational therapist within the United States Airforce! In this podcast, we aimed to bring insight into the role of occupational therapy within the military, with a special focus on ergonomics, environment, and psychological impacts. References Baumann, M. L., Brown, A. N., Quick, C. D., Breuer, S. T., and Smith-Forbes, E. V. (2018). Translating occupational therapy’s current role within U.S. army combat and operational stress control operations. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 34(3), 258–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212x.2018.1425952 (https://doi.org/10.1080/0164212x.2018.1425952) Brown, H. V., and Hollis, V. (2013). The meaning of occupation, occupational need, and occupational therapy in a military context. Physical Therapy, 93(9), 1244–1253. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20120162 (https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20120162)

Dr. Sammons grew up in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania and attended California and State Teachers College in California, Pennsylvania to study Industrial Arts. Upon graduating, he moved to a small town in WV to teach mechanical drawing to high school students. After serving in the Korean war, he attended Richmond Professional Institute which is now called VCU and received his certificate in Occupational Therapy. Shortly thereafter he started his OT career by finding employment as the chief director of OT at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and worked there for about 5 years practicing rehabilitation and completing research in prosthetics. During this time he also joined staff at the amputee clinic in Northwestern University, and later received an honorary doctorate in 1983 from WMU to recognize the many contributions he has made to the field of OT. Dr. Sammons is the creator of the button aid, a self-care aid that we call adaptive equipment in the field, that was and still is used today for self-care dressing tasks. Dr. Sammons created his own company called Button King Inc. after showcasing the button aid at conferences like AOTA and seeing its utility and popularity. This product became mass produced and laid the framework for an entrepreneurial career in assistive technology and research. The company has evolved over the years and is now called Performance Health; a company that catalogues around 2,500 products. Over the years, Dr. Sammons has won numerous awards, advocated for the OT profession both internationally and domestically, and was recently named one of the top 100 Influential People of Occupational Therapy by AOTA. He also has made numerous charitable donations to VCU and other universities and organizations. An archive was recently made and can be viewed at the following link: https://fredsammons.org/about/about-fs (https://fredsammons.org/about/about-fs) Hosted by: Alexander Leary Connolly, OTS Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Virginia Commonwealth University

Welcome back to Students in CHRG! As you may know, CHRG Therapy is a telehealth occupational therapy company that specializes in hand, upper extremity, ergonomics, and home modifications. In this podcast we aim to bring you insights into the very field of occupational therapy. For those of you who don't know, April is OT Month! For OT month we’re going to discuss the foundation of CHRG, how to create your own OT business, and the challenges that OT faces today. We have a guest speaker, Shanna Corbin, who is a Certified Hand Therapist and also the founder of CHRG therapy.

Welcome to Students in CHRG! In our fifth episode, we’re talking with The Milkmaven Mollie about breastfeeding and Ergonomics! We discuss the benefits of proper ergonomics for breastfeeding, common injuries experienced by moms, and the challenges new moms face with COVID-19. Mollie is an OTR/L, CHT, CLC who provides one-on-one consultations for new moms. Sources: References Fernandes, J.G. (2018). Occupational therapists’ role in perinatal care: A health promotion approach. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(5), 7205347010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028126 (https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028126) Santhosh, B. M. (2019). Exploration in to the ergonomics of sitting posture of lactating mothers. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT). 8(5)

Welcome back to Students in CHRG! As some of you may know, CHRG Therapy is a telehealth occupational therapy company that specializes in hand, upper extremity, ergonomics, and home modifications. In this podcast, we aim to bring you the latest evidence-based research in the field. In today’s episode, we’re going to discuss public transportation accessibility in larger cities, and later we’ll have a guest speaker from Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, better known as SEPTA. Reference List Bezyak, J.L., Sabella, S.A., and Gattis, R.H. (2017). Public transportation: An investigation of barriers for people with disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 8(1), 52-60. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1044207317702070 (https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207317702070) Sabella, S. A., and Bezyak, J. L. (2019). Barriers to Public Transportation and Employment: A National Survey of Individuals With Disabilities. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 50(3), 174–185. https://doi-org.ezp.scranton.edu/10.1891/0047-2220.50.3.174 (https://doi-org.ezp.scranton.edu/10.1891/0047-2220.50.3.174) SEPTA. 2020. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. Retrieved Jan 2021 from http://www.septa.org/ (http://www.septa.org)

First-year students from the Iona College MSOT program, Madeline List and Taylor Alvarez interview Michele Morgante OTD, OTR/L on Mission Accessibility. Mission Accessibility is an initiative being taken at Iona College to research campus accessibility and innovatively navigate structural challenges to improve the college experience for all students. Dr. Morgante explains some of the ways her students have been conducting research on campus and utilizing entrepreneurial and design thinking.

Oma Episode Part II includes an interview with Art for the Journey's (AFJ) Executive Director, Cindy Paullin, and VCU's OT graduate student, Hannah Johnson. This episode complements the first part of the OMA episode series by exploring the evolution of Art for the Journey through its inception, which began as a non-profit, volunteer organization, until today, as it perseveres through the obstacles the pandemic has presented. It explains how Opening Minds through Art (OMA) was added to AFJ's programs and the impact that it has had on their development and subsequent programs. Art for the Journey overcomes barriers and transforms lives through creative expression, with a special focus on people who do not normally have access to such experiences. They provide a range of art programs aimed at bringing a sense of wellbeing and even healing within an environment of personal engagement, support, and celebration. AFJ provides instruction and art-making experiences to women in prison, low income elderly, at-risk children, children with Juvenile Diabetes, older adults with dementia and Alzheimer's, and veterans suffering PTSD and combat-related disabilities. While AFJ was not created by OT's, much of what they do in their work is very relatable to the field of OT and it's practiced. In this episode, we compare and contrast some of these similarities and bring light to the many ways in which this program is helping numerous populations of the community. Hannah Johnson discusses her experience completing her doctoral capstone project in response to the pandemic and a changing schedule to the curriculum and how she incorporated her OT knowledge into program development with AFJ. If you have any questions about this episode, AFJ, or would just like to connect, feel free to reach out to the student influencers by email or text!" Alex Connolly's contact information: connollyal@mymail.vcu.edu cell: 804-370-8662